HARLEQUINS HAS NAMED THE MATCHDAY 23 TO PLAY WASPS RUGBY IN ROUND 14 OF THE AVIVA PREMIERSHIP AT THE STOOP (SUNDAY 11TH FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 13:00).

There are nine changes to the starting 15 that lost to Northampton Saints last weekend.

Following his recent contract renewal, Tim Visser is named to start on the left wing, Jamie Roberts partners Joe Marchant in the centres and Marcus Smith comes in at fly-half.

There is a completely different front five - featuring a return from injury for Kyle Sinckler - while Mat Luamanu is named at Number Eight. Dave Ward takes over captaincy duties as James Horwill picked up a knock in last week's match against Northampton.

Ahead of the match, Harlequins Director of Rugby, John Kingston said: "Last month's match against Wasps was an absolute belter. For us to come back in the way that we did showed fantastic belief and desire, but we know they're a good side and they'll pose a huge threat on the weekend again.

"The next three home games against Wasps, Newcastle and Bath are going to have a significant impact on whether we will be able to sustain a genuine challenge for the top four. The crowd was massive in getting the team over the line a few weeks ago, so we need them right behind the side from the very first minute."

Quartet return to boost Wasps' Premiership hopes
James Gaskell captains Wasps at Harlequins when the Aviva Premiership resumes on Sunday following a four-week break.
The matchday 23 named by rugby director Dai Young is boosted by the return from injury of Jimmy Gopperth, Matt Mullan, Gaby Lovobalavu and Nathan Hughes.

This quartet are joined on a power-packed bench by Ashley Johnson, Joe Simpson, Marty Moore and Tommy Taylor.

Last week’s Anglo-Welsh Cup man-of-the-match Jack Willis shifts from No.8 to the blindside flank, while Tom Cruse, who picked up the same award following the recent European Cup win over Ulster, starts at hooker.

Behind the scrum, Young makes only one change to the line-up that claimed a bonus point success over the Northern Irishmen.

This sees fit-again Josh Bassett, who claimed an Anglo-Welsh brace from the bench against Leicester last Sunday, selected on the left wing.

Young said the round 14 clash launches a sequence which he believes could define Wasps’ season.

“We have a block of four games now which will pretty much determine where we're going to sit in the league,” he said.

“If we can get the results we want we should be sitting comfortably in the top four after which we can push for the top two in the last three or four games.

“But if we don't get these results right, we're probably going to be fighting to get into that top four.

“When we played at the Stoop last month we dominated the game for 55 minutes, then let it slip, so it is essential we play for the full 80 minutes against them tomorrow.

“That result also knocked us out of Europe. The boys will carry that hurt with them this week and if we play to the best of our ability we're more than capable of going anywhere and winning.”

Sinckelr back already is great, as I thought he was meant to be out for most of the 6N.

No Horwill or Twomey is a shame.

No Cat or Saili not remotely surprising.

Lewis ahead of Kitto I find baffling.

Is Lang injured? Assume he must be.

Actually a much stronger team than I expected. Strong backline bar 9, and strong scrum. Forward replacements are decent, backs look a bit less convincing, but I'd have Kitto starting, and Morris is a decent option. Not sure I've seen Prior at 10 yet.

Re Lewis, his pass is demonstrably slower than our other 9s and he doesn't appear to offer much of a running threat - from what I've seen of Kitto, both here at when he was at Leicester, he's definitely a step up from Lewis. Bizarre decision imo.

Shame about Horwill and Twomey. I fear our scrum may go backwards all game, but hope I'm wrong!

oakhavenRe Lewis, his pass is demonstrably slower than our other 9s and he doesn't appear to offer much of a running threat - from what I've seen of Kitto, both here at when he was at Leicester, he's definitely a step up from Lewis. Bizarre decision imo.
Shame about Horwill and Twomey. I fear our scrum may go backwards all game, but hope I'm wrong!

I'm not sure I've seen that from Lewis in the few appearances he's had, and think he actually takes fewer steps with the ball than Care. Agree about his lack of running game though.

I also agree that Kitto has looked good so would be happy for him to come on early if needed.

talkshowhost86and think he actually takes fewer steps with the ball than Care

Quite possibly - I'm talking more about the actual speed at which the ball travels, rather than how long he takes to pass. Every time I've seen him play for us, the ball has looped to our 10 rather than having the degree of "zip" you'd expect/hope for.

SiBoltonï¿½ No excuse not to get a winï¿½ you are havin* a laugh
Their bench is V strong, as other have said canï¿½t understand Kitto not starting
Going along in hope more than expectation

There shouldn't be a big gap between the teams. Reckon our starting XV is stronger and their bench is stronger.

So with home advantage we should win in my view and a loss would be a disappointment.

If we don't win any very slim hope of top 4 has gone (personally I think it's gone anyway but others have argued otherwise) and I think it would be a fairly big nail in the coffin of any top 6 chances.

CookieLang paying for his poor defence last week?
Horwill seems to be starting to miss games regularly.

We'll need our starting XV to win this for us. Their bench is formidable. Ours isn't.

Horwill has played once - last week - since the end of November if that’s what you mean, but it was just the one injury.

Lang was dreadful but think he took a knock.

Twomey may be as someone said, not back fully after last week - hope that’s the reason because it seems odd not to use him from the bench for example. No mention of an injury reoccurrence so let’s pray.

May the best team (or bench!) win.
Was gutted at our loss at yours in the European match. Will be a cracking first hour and I hope an even better last 20 for us. Enjoy the England game! And hope it’s another great game on Sunday.

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